Check wire tension measuring apparatus



March 25, 1952 H. H. BOM'BERGER CHECK WIRE TENSION MEAS UkiNG APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1949 Inventor Harry H. Bomberger Patented Mar. 25, 1952 2,590,498 O F F I C E CHECK WIRE TENSION IVIEASURING APPARATUS Harry H. Bomberger, Hershey, Pa.

Application August 3, 1949, Serial No. 108,301

1 Claim.

1 This invention relates to a check-wire holder and has for its primary object to enable corn or similar row crops to be planted in even rows both longitudinally and transversely of the field. Another object of this invention is to provide an efiicient and easily adjustable holder for a check-wire for a corn planter, the holder retaining the check-wire in the same tensioned position for each row.

These and ancillary objects are attained by this invention, a preferred embodiment of which is set forth in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a checkwire, illustrating the novel anchoring means therefor as taught by this invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the holder;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2 and being shown on an enlarged scale.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, it is to be noted that the checkwire I!) is held under tension by holders I2, which are detachably hooked to the opposing ends of the wire and in turn anchored to stakes 14, which are driven into the ground. The stakes are provided at their upper ends with handles l6, which expedite the extraction of the stakes and also aid in the positioning of the stakes.

Attention is directed to Figures 2 and 5 for a more detailed explanation of the holders l2, which are identically constructed and employed. The holders comprise an elongated tubular member [8 which is formed with opposing externally threaded ends 26 and 22. A cap 24 is threaded on the end 20 and is formed with an enlarged head 26. A slot 28 is longitudinally formed in the member 18 adjacent the end 2|] and a pin or set screw 38 is slidably disposed therein, the pin having its inner end adjustably secured in a disk 32.

The disk 32 is slidably disposcdin the tubular member and is formed with a centrally disposed internally threaded bore 34, in which is secured the threaded end 36 of an elongated rod 38.

The rod is slidably disposed through the head of the cap 24 and terminates in an externally threaded end 46. A turnbuckle 42 connects the end 48 of the rod to an eye bolt or anchorin member 44, which is positioned on the stakes M. The end 36 of the rod is formed with a flattened axially aligned apertured ear or extension 46 in which one end 48 of a spring 50 is anchored. The opposite end 52 of the spring is attached to a hook 54 having a claw end 56. The shank of the hook is suitably attached to the tube 18, as by being threaded onto. a cup member 58, which in turn is threaded and locked on the end portion 22 of the member H! as illustrated in Figure 2. The claw end 56 of the hook engages one end of the check-wire It].

Means is provided for locking the rod 38 against sliding movement in the tube and includes a locking rod or pin 60, which is formed with an externally threaded end 62 disposed radially through the head 26 of the cap 24 and is adapted to frictionally bear against the flattened side 64 of the rod.

A knurled angular extension 66 is formed on the end 62, whereby the end may be rotated into a looking or unlocking position.

With respect to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the check-wire is stretched across the held and the opposing ends are held by the hook members 54.

The pin 39 functions as an indicator to register the tension and, accordingly, the outer surface of the tube [8 is calibrated adjacent to and parallel with the slot 28.

In use of the device, after adjusting the tension in the check wire H] to the degree desired, and locking the rod 38 against movement relative to the tube I8, as by tightening down the locking member 66, the position of the indicator 36 on the calibrated section of the tube I8 is noted. Thereafter, by utilizing a like procedure to apply the same tension in succeeding wire as the planting proceeds, a uniform spacing of the plantings throughout the field may be obtained.

Having described the claimed as new is:

In a wire tension checking device, an elongated tube, apertured cap members threaded onto the ends of said tube, a rod slidably extending through the aperture in one of said cap members, resilient means in said tube and attached to the inner end of said rod, said rod having a flattened portion, a threaded pin arranged in the flange of the last-mentioned cap member and engageable with said flattened portion for locking said rod, means on the outer end of said rod for fastening same to an anchor member, a hook member having a shank passing through the aperture of the other cap member and threadedly engaged therein, the free end of said shank being secured to the opposite end of said resilient means and means for indicatin the extent of movement of said rod relative to Said tube- HARRY I-I. BOMBERGER;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS invention, what is Number Name Date 536,331 Fanin Mar. 26, 1895 1,258,102 Foster Mar. 5, 1918 1,279,348 Johnson Sept. 17, 1918 1,715,098 Riley May 28, 1929 1,822,352 Laursen Sept. 8, 1 3 

